Category: Vuepinions

Hot Pot

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I really got into hot pot late last fall to the point I had it every week for a couple months. My friends introduced me to hot pot years ago and I only really went when they did. I decided to take a few friends that had never had it before to try it and we were hooked. This led me to try a couple different restaurants in Madison.

Soga is the first place I ever had hot pot. It was once located on the corner of Gilman and State but has since moved towards Bascom Hill on State Street. The new location is nicer than its previous location. In my opinion, Soga has the best quality meat and seafood. There are two options for broth. The traditional or spicy version. You can also get half and half if you choose. However, they offer an array of condiments so that you can flavor the broth the way you want.

On my journey to try different restaurants in Madison that have hot pot, I tried Double 10 on Park Street that offers individual hot pot. Perfect for those who don’t like to share. They offer more broth options than Soga and have condiments you can use to flavor your broth. The kimchi broth was delicious. I enjoyed the udon noodles and even though we got our own hot pot we were able to share our platters that came with it. If you are by yourself, it could get pricey with adding on different meats, vegetables, and noodles.

I later ventured to Ichiban on Park Street. We went here for my stepmom’s birthday. It has the most flavorful traditional broth compared to Soga and Double 10. Service was a bit slow and the quality of the meat is subpar to Soga in my opinion. It is the best for large parties since there is ample seating compared to the other restaurants. We also ordered other dishes to share and it was superb. I loved the family style tables that really allowed my huge family to share all the food we bought.

In all, I had a great experience trying out what Madison had to offer and will be definitely back to each one of them when I have a hot pot craving. Each of the restaurants have a unique appeal. Soga with its quality meat and seafood. Double 10 with individual hot pot for those who prefer not to share. And Ichiban with its flavorful broth and family style seating. You cannot go wrong at any of these places.

http://www.sogashabushabumadison.com

http://www.double10restaurant.com

http://www.ichibanmadison.com

Sushi Obsession

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I don’t know why I am surprised by the fact that more and more people say they like sushi. Maybe it is because a decade ago I did not know many people who liked it. I mean I couldn’t even find anyone to go eat sushi with me. Now, I swear most guys that I have gone on dates with or met online love it. Sometimes I think it’s the in thing to like sushi or that people think that they have a wider palate if they do. But then I’m disappointed by the sushi selections they make because if you love sushi that’s not what a sushi lover would order. Come on, California roll?!

Okay, now that I’m done ranting, the point I want to make about the sushi scene in Madison is that there are some good options. Now, it is Madison and the sushi restaurants here just can’t compete with restaurants that are near the ocean. Knowing that I love sushi and eat it at least every other week if not every week, I am often asked where the best place to eat sushi is. I always give the same answer; it depends on what kind of sushi you like. So what does this mean?

Well, American sushi is very different from sushi you would find in Japan. Americans like their sushi rolls with rice on the exterior whereas, traditional sushi, aka maki rolls, has the seaweed on the exterior and rice inside. From my understanding, it has to do with the aesthetics of Americans. We also love our cream cheese and avocado. Two things you would not typically see in traditional sushi. I still don’t get the cream cheese thing. Other types of sushi are nigiri and sashimi. Nigiri is typically a slice of raw fish over a bed of vinegared rice, whereas sashimi is sliced fish served with a bowl of vinegared rice.

Now that we have a baseline, this is what I tell others about the local restaurants in Madison. If you are looking of traditional American sushi that aren’t foofoo (i.e. California, Philadelphia, Dragon, Rainbow, etc. rolls), I would say Edo Japanese on Monona Avenue, Osaka or Wasabi on State Street, and Takumi on the east side. My fave is Edo Japanese. They know me there.

If you’re looking for a twist on traditional American sushi, the two places I recommend are Muramoto and Red Sushi. I am not a big fan of some of these Asian fusion aka foofoo sushi with mango, etc. It’s hit or miss sometimes and if you know me I don’t like taking chances when it comes to food haha. I really like the sashimi at Red Sushi so if that’s what you’re into then go there. I have found the fish to be better quality, which is definitely noticeable when the meat is served by itself and not inside a roll. Muramoto has awesome appetizers, traditional Japanese maki rolls, and nigiri. Plus the chefs are fun to talk to at the bar. I could go on about other places but these are the ones at the top of my list.

https://www.edogardenmonona.com

http://www.osakahousemadison.com

http://wasabi-madison.com/home

http://red-madison.com

http://muramoto.biz/wordpress/

Today, where would I recommend to take someone on a date?

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What happens when you have your first dinner date with someone new and you have no clue what to suggest? This will be the first time you see him/her eat and it can be scary. I’ll make it easier and give you a few suggestions on places that I feel will not break the bank and where you will enjoy the food and service.

One of my favorite places is Tutto Pasta on State Street. There are so many good options on the menu that your date can choose from. This place is small and the decor is outdated, but it has its charms.  Friday and Saturday evenings and prior to events on weeknights nearby are busy so there will be a wait and service may be subpar. If you don’t mind the wait, you will not be disappointed by the food. You can leave your phone number with the host and be contacted when your table is ready so you do not need to wait in the restaurant which is a perfect opportunity grab a drink at a local bar.

Okay so now you’re at your table, what do you order? Good thing is that you get toasted bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil to dip it in. I would recommend to start with calamari, bruschetta, or mozzarella in carrozza. The calamari is deep fried in a light batter and paired with a tomato dipping sauce topped with red pepper flakes. I love how light the batter is and with a squeeze of lemon the taste is perfection. This is definitely not a dish for people who do not like seafood. Beware of the baby squid as some people may not be able to stomach it. If this is too adventurous for you or your date, the bruschetta is always a safe choice. The mozzarella in carrozza isn’t your typical mozzarella sticks. It is deep fried mozzarella smothered in tomato sauce and it’s super yummy.

When it comes to the entree, I recommend ordering pasta since it is an Italian restaurant. If you’re looking for authentic Italian pasta, this may not be the place. It definitely is an American Italian restaurant as the sauces are creamier than what you would find in Italy. Regardless, I love the Tutto Pasta entree with the spicy (crushed pepper flakes are added for the spice) option. It is made with bow tie pasta mixed in a tomato cream sauce with garlic, mushrooms, onions, and chicken. Topped with fresh shredded parmesan it is to die for. I do not recommend the spicy option if you don’t like spicy food and the original version is great and how I ate it for a long time.

Another entree I enjoy is the Ravioli di Aragosta with tomato cream sauce. You can actually choose your own sauce so if you prefer a different sauce with the lobster and cheese filled ravioli, you can pick from a list on the menu. The tomato cream is what I think pairs well with it. What is great about the pasta here is that it isn’t overcooked like what you would get at an Olive Garden. So if you like your pasta super soft you are going to be disappointed because the pasta is al dente, the way pasta is meant to be.

If you are a picky eater or worried your date may be, the safe choices would be the Fettuccine Alfredo or Spaghetti and Meatballs. If you’re looking for a white sauce that isn’t Fettuccine Alfredo, I recommend Penne Quattro Formaggio. The different cheeses give it a strong flavor that may not be appealing to some. If you love cheese then I highly recommend. If you’re looking for a pesto sauce, you can’t go wrong with the Penne Pollo Pesto.

Another great restaurant is Monsoon Siam located on Atwood if you are in the mood for Thai food. It is one of my favorite restaurants when I am craving Drunken Noodles, which is the best in town. It is also rated the best Thai restaurant in Madison from a friend of mine who is from Thailand. Good thing I agree with him. The restaurant is very small and seating is limited so there may be a wait if your date is on Friday or Saturday evening. This is a great place for someone who is a vegetarian or vegan.

There are a few appetizers that you must try at Monsoon Siam. The first is the Sun-Dried Beef. This appetizer reminds me of my childhood when my parents would make beef jerky. The flavors are intense and refreshing but may be too much for some people’s taste palate. Another great choice is the Chicken Satay if you aren’t a fan of beef. The Papaya Salad is paired with grilled shrimp and a great option for a vegetarian. I do find the Papaya Salad to be on the sour side instead of sweet so it may not be what you are expecting if you are thinking Vietnamese or Thai papaya salad.

The Drunken Noodles with pork is my go to dish when I visit. It is made with wide rice noodles stir fried in a brown sauce with assorted vegetables. The basil and sauce are the key to the favors in this dish. Additionally, I get a side of fresh crushed Thai chili peppers to add more spice to the noodles. Another dish I like is Ka Pow. It is paired well with chicken. It is served with rice and offers great Thai flavors. I would not recommend the Panang Curry as I found the meat to be a bit dry and the curry flavor underwhelming.

My last recommendation, Buraka, will be for those who want to try something different and not common in the Madison area. It is one of my favorite restaurants since I was in college. I thought it had closed down but it reopened on Willy Street where Jolly Bob’s used to be. Buraka is an Ethiopian and East African restaurant an offers vegetarian and vegan options. Like Monsoon Siam, there is limited seating. However, during warmer weather, there is patio seating available and is quite lovely for a romantic dinner.

To start off I recommend Samoosa, which can be ordered with minced beef, chicken, or lentils. It is a savory deep fried filled pastry. I recommend the minced beef and lentil. Although I have not had the Yucca Fries at Buraka, I would recommend them as I love Yucca. It is a great alternative to potatoes and in my opinion tastes better.

The Combination Dinner is a great option if you have a hard time deciding between two of their entrees. My favorite dishes are Sigawot or Dorowot depending on if I am in the mood for beef or chicken, and Chicken Peanut Stew. Sigawot and Dorowot are a red curry stew made with potatoes. The Chicken Peanut Stew is great for those who love peanut butter enriched with a blend of spices. All entrees are served with rice or injera and a lentil salad. If you like lentils, the salad will be a treat. A scoop of sour cream is also served for those who may want to tame their dish. For those who are unfamiliar with injera I recommend ordering a side of it to try instead of with the entree as the flavor has a sour taste almost vinegar like to some.

I hope that you found my recommendations helpful if you are trying to pick a restaurant for your next date. I’ll be updating my recommendations as they change. Stay tuned to my reviews on restaurants in the Madison area. Below are the links to the restaurants that I recommended.

http://www.foodspot.com/Clients/WI/Madison/TuttoPastaTrattoria/default.aspx?accid=17593

https://www.monsoonsiam-wi.com

http://www.buraka-madison.com